Colfax Lions sends reading glasses to Madagascar

Dr. Russell Worrall, active Colfax Lion and retired Colfax optometrist, has taken an active lead in helping the Colfax Lions fulfill part of their mission of providing humanitarian service where needed. The Colfax Lions Club has just shipped its second batch of 250 reading glasses to the Northern Madagascar one of the 10 poorest countries in the world in 2019 according to USA Today.Lions Clubs around the world are committed to assisting those individuals with needs in sight improvement. As a result, Lions are involved with a multitude of specific programs to address that goal. One such venture is the Folsom Prison Vision Project for the Visually Impaired. Thousands of used eyeglasses are refurbished annually by skilled inmates at Folsom Prison, cataloged and shipped by Lions Clubs to needy folks around the globe. The Colfax Lions have been long-time financial and used eyeglass donors to the Folsom Vision Project. The Colfax Lions find inspiration in their visits to the prison project and are initiating a more robust effort to international sight improvement. Dr. Worrall, former professor of optometry at UC Berkeley and private practitioner in Colfax for 30 years and his wife Rozlynn, a retired teacher and former administrator at the California Department of Education, are veteran world travelers and have been the Colfax connection to donations abroad. After retiring from their respective professions 10 years ago, the Worralls began an around the world adventure by cruising their sailboat from San Francisco to Australia, and then continuing around the world by train, bus, and plane returning to San Francisco in 2015. To date, they have visited nearly 90 countries, volunteered their skills and donated eyeglasses and school supplies in needy regions around the world. They are also active members of SERVAS and Friendship Force International that strive to build peace through understanding and friendship.On a recent trip to Madagascar in April of 2019, the Worralls went on a private National Geographic Expedition. Their guide Floris and driver were local Malagasy from Northern Madagascar.Floris is a public school teacher who supplements his income, by guiding National Geographic tours. The Worralls are used to bringing modest supplies of reading glasses and school supplies to developing and needy countries and inquired of their guide if there would be an opportunity to personally distribute the glasses. The answer was a resounding yes. Even Floris and the driver were happy to receive a pair! It was apparent that the need was a million times greater than the supplies the Worralls had on hand. A credentialed teacher, like Floris, make about $100 a month. Electricity, running water, flush toilets and glasses are a luxury, particularly in the rural north. Almost everyone over 40 years old needs reading assistance. Imagine trying to make a living after 40 years old, if you cannot see to read, weave, fix your fishing net, sew, or hammer a nail.